Cowell also admitted he had worried about the future of his shows at one point when they failed to find credible acts.

He said that two or three years ago, with the exception of Leona Lewis, he was "getting nervous".

He said of this period:

"I thought if we don't find real stars from these shows after all the razzmatazz, all the promises, all the hype and you end with somebody whose going to put out a single and then go away it's a waste of time, a waste of my time and everyone's time."

Cowell also described himself as "lucky, hard-working and weird", saying: "I think this business does make you a little bit odd."